George Douglas Wahl
George Douglas Wahl | |
|---|---|
Carmel, California, United States | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Service |  United States Army |
| Years of service | 1917–1949 |
| Rank |  Brigadier General |
| Unit |  Field Artillery Branch |
| Commands | 191st Field Artillery Regiment Fort Indiantown Gap Fort Knox |
| Battles / wars | World War I
|
| Awards | Silver Star (3) Legion of Merit Bronze Star Medal (2) Purple Heart (2) |
| Relations | MG Lutz Wahl (father) |
George Douglas Wahl (October 15, 1895 – March 24, 1981) was a highly decorated officer in the
Following the War, he remained in the Army and served as Commanding general, Fort Indiantown Gap Separation and Discharge Center or Commander of Fort Knox.[1]
Early career
George D. Wahl was born on October 15, 1895, in New Orleans, Louisiana, as the son of future Major general Lutz Wahl and Emma Joubert. Following the high school. he received an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, from which he graduated with Bachelor of Science degree on April 20, 1917, just few days after the United States entry into World War I.[3][2]
Wahl's West Point class produced more than 55 future general officers, including two
He was commissioned second lieutenant in Field Artillery Branch and attached to the 12th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Division. Wahl promptly reached the ranks of first lieutenant and captain and embarked for France in fall 1917. He participated in the battles of Saint-Mihiel, Blanc Mont Ridge and Argonne forest and received three Silver Star citations for bravery, Purple Heart for wounds and French Croix de guerre 1914–1918 with Guilt Star.[4][2]
Following the Armistice, Wahl participated in the
World War II
Upon his graduation from the Naval War College, Wahl was promoted to lieutenant colonel on June 1, 1940, and ordered to the headquarters of
In February 1943,
Wahl was ordered to Camp Philips, Kansas, in February 1944 and succeeded his West Point Classmate, Augustus M. Gurney as Artillery Commanding officer of 79th Infantry Division (Cross of Lorraine) under Major general Ira T. Wyche. For his new billet, he was promoted to the temporary rank of Brigadier general on May 25, 1944.[1][2]
He embarked for
Wahl commanded division's artillery during the rest of combats in the Northern France and participated in the
He led his command during the defensive combats along the
Following the surrender of Nazi Germany in May 1945, 79th Division participated in the occupation duty in the area of
Postwar service
Upon his return to the United States, Wahl assumed duty as Commanding general,
Wahl was reverted to the peacetime rank of Colonel on February 28, 1946, and ordered to San Francisco, California, where he joined the headquarters of 9th Service Command under Major general William E. Shedd. After a four months in this capacity, Wahl was appointed a Senior Instructor to Oregon Officers Reserve Corps and remained in that assignment until May 1948, when he was appointed Deputy Commanding Officer Northern Military District under Major general Albert E. Brown.[1][2]
Retirement
Wahl retired from active duty on June 30, 1949, with his wartime rank of Brigadier general after 32 years of active service and settled in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California. He was active in the American Legion and died at his home in Carmel on March 24, 1981, aged 73. Wahl was buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia, beside his wife, Emma D. Wahl (1903–1975). They had together three children: two sons, Robert and John, and a daughter, Patricia.[1][2][6]
Decorations
Here is Brigadier general Wahl's ribbon bar:[4]
  
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| 1st Row | Oak Leaf Clusters
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Legion of Merit | ||||||||||||||
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| 2nd Row | Oak Leaf Cluster
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Oak Leaf Cluster
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World War I Victory Medal with three battle clasps |
Army of Occupation of Germany Medal | ||||||||||||
| 3rd Row | American Defense Service Medal | American Campaign Medal | European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
with four 3/16 inch service stars |
World War II Victory Medal
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| 4th Row | Army of Occupation Medal | Knight of the Legion of Honor (France) | French Croix de guerre 1914–1918 with Guilt Star | French Croix de guerre 1939-1945 with Palm
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References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Biography of Brigadier General George D. Wahl (1895 - 1981), USA". generals.dk. generals.dk Websites. Archived from the original on 25 June 2021. Retrieved 12 April 2017.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "George D. Wahl Papers – Army Center of Military History". USMC Military History Division. Archived from the original on November 2, 2019. Retrieved October 29, 2017.
- ^ a b "George D. Wahl 1917 - West Point Association of Graduates".
- ^ a b c "Valor awards for George D. Wahl". valor.militarytimes.com. Militarytimes Websites. Retrieved 12 April 2017.
- ^ a b "The Cross of Lorraine; A Combat History of 79th Infantry Division - June 1942 - December 1945" (PDF).
- ^ Arlington National Cemetery